Mumbai Police have initiated legal proceedings against 32 individuals, including Gaurav Burman, Director of Dabur, and Mohit Burman, Chairman of the company, in connection with the Mahadev betting app. FIR positions Mohit Burman as the 16th accused and Gaurav Burman as the 18th accused. Actor Sahil Khan is also implicated, accused of not only promoting but profiting significantly from operating another betting app associated with Mahadev’s online betting app.
The case, filed on November 7 based on a complaint by social activist Prakash Bankar, includes charges under sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR alleges fraudulent activities amounting to Rs 15,000 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is concurrently investigating the Mahadev Book Online Betting APP syndicate. The ED claims to have arrested four individuals, seized proceeds of crime exceeding Rs 450 crore, and filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons. Intelligence inputs led to the interception of a cash courier, Asim Das, in Chhattisgarh, allegedly sent from the UAE to deliver a significant amount of cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party.
The ED asserts that revelations from Das’s questioning, forensic examination of his phone, and examination of an email sent by a high-ranking Mahadev network member suggest regular payments totaling around Rs 508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The Mahadev APP promoters are alleged to be remotely running thousands of panels across India with the help of associates.
The case highlights the intersection of the legal and political spheres, with implications for both business leaders and political figures involved in the alleged betting syndicate.
